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The Strait Gate And Narrow Way

“And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed.” | Genesis 27: 27

There is, without a doubt, no clearer picture or type of the blessing of God Almighty to an unworthy rebel than the blessing of Jacob by his father Isaac.

Jacob had exhibited the true nature of a wretched sinner.

In Jacob’s mind, the only way he could get his father’s blessing was to impersonate his brother Esau.

Lying with every breath, Jacob attempted to convince his father that he was someone else.

Not until Isaac smelled the coat of Esau did he bestow the blessing.

The smell of his first born satisfied the aging Isaac.

And just as the smell of Esau’s coat that covered Jacob ushered in the blessing to the younger son… Christ’s royal robe of righteousness, imputed to everyone that believeth in Christ, is the smell of satisfaction, obedience, and truthfulness to God the Father.

In ourselves, we are but “Jacobs,” deceivers, liars and supplanters.

But robed in the glorious robe of Christ’s imputed righteousness… we are accepted and blessed in the Beloved… Apart from Him, there is no hope, no life, and no blessing from the just and Holy God.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “The Strait Gate And Narrow Way” (19:19 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 3 June, 2021

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Symptoms Of A Fatal Disease

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.” | Psalm 39: 4

MOST fatal diseases do not show up immediately, nor do they kill someone overnight.

They generally begin little unsuspicious symptoms, such as a sniffle, a sore, a small lump or a brief pain.

Most times the person ignores these little symptoms until they become much worse and even others notice something wrong with them.

So it is most times with the fatal disease called Apostasy.

Apostasy is a fancy word for missing Christ, departing from the faith, leaving the gospel and leaving the church.

It most times begins with little symptoms, such as… no real desire to attend the worship services (but only do so to maintain appearances), no real fellowship with believers (quick to get in and out of services), avoidable absences from the worship service, little distractions at home, little temptations to work late, ‘little sins’ indulged (even enjoyed), the pull and call of the world, which, at one time was resisted, now quickly and easily answered.

The symptoms are many and varied, and if ignored, they eventually break out into glaring problems.

The person begins to be unsociable with God’s people, unreachable, not easily entreated.

They begin to resent and avoid the calls and concerns of their (supposed) brethren.

They begin to find fault with their ‘brethren’ and especially the preacher.

Until finally they see no need to gather with ‘those people’ anymore, or listen to ‘that fellow’ anymore.

Little do apostates realize, but THEY HAVE MISSED CHRIST, then they leave; “they went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be manifest (revealed, exposed to all) that they are not all of us.

Fact is, one who leaves never had life to begin with, never was born from above, never was quickened but was and is dead in trespasses and sins.

It is not too late if these words convict one’s conscience and prick one’s heart.

If the symptoms are recognized early it does not have to be fatal …hurtful and injurious, yes, but not fatal!

If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself and are concerned, perhaps the Great Physician is dealing with you.

The Lord will heal the backslidden in heart and readily receives every prodigal.

If left to our sinful selves we all would fall away.

It can happen to anyone.

Many have left and many more will do so, according to scripture.

But, by the grace of God, all who call on Him, come to Him, no matter how sinful, how fallen (or how many times), how wandering, how downcast and dirty, He mercifully receives and quickly and freely forgives.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Lord I’m so frail” (34:39 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 17 May, 2021

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The Believer’s Position

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” | Ephesians 2: 5-7

The believer is perfect in Christ; but in himself he is a poor, feeble creature, ever liable to fall.

Oh, the unspeakable blessedness of having One who can manage all his affairs for him at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens;

One who upholds him always by His right hand;

One who will never let him go;

One who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever;”

One who will bear him through all the difficulties and dangers which surround him and finally present him faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

Blessed forever be the grace that has made such provision for all our need in the blood of a spotless victim and the intercession of a Divine High Priest!

~ Pastor Scott Richardson

Click here to listen to the message “Who Is This Jesus?” (31:14 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 21 April, 2021

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Access To God With Confidence

‘In whom, (in Christ) we have boldness and access with confidence, by the faith of him.’ | Ephesians 3: 12

Do you see anything in the above short verse that claims that we do anything to make ourselves holy?

It is in Christ that the believer has boldness to come to God for mercy, grace and help.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4: 16)

It is only in the Lord Jesus that we have access.

I was never required to call ahead for permission when I went to visit my parents.

Why?

I was their son.

I never had to knock on their door to gain entry.

I had a key! I had access.

I had boldness and confidence that the key would open the door and that I was always welcome.

In Christ we have boldness and access with confidence, and do you see the cause of it?

It is all by the faith of Him, the Lord Jesus Christ.

No, not faith in Him, but faith in what Christ my Lord, by His faithfulness to God, did for His elect in Him and for Him.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1: 7)

This is why we preach that salvation is in a Person, it is in Christ, in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

~ Pastor David Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “Grace That Will Pardon” (25:20 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 19 April, 2021

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Brethren, Listen!

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” | Mark 16: 15-16

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned”… “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the WRATH OF GOD abideth on him.”

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3: 36)

You have wives, husbands, parents, sons and daughters, grandchildren… that do not know the Lord; that do not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

They are going to perish if they do not hear and believe the Truth.

Do you talk to them?

Are you able to bring them to hear the Word?

Are they under your roof and under your influence?

If you care for their souls you must tell them, you must talk to them, you must bring them.

You are their minister and they are your ministry.

It is your purpose in life to bear witness to your Lord.

Nothing else matters.

Nothing!

Do not let the god of this world blind your minds with the things of this world so that you do not see it for what it is.. TEMPORARY… PERISHING!

Scripture says, “Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” (2 Peter 3: 11)

What do you talk to these lost ones about?

How we ought to have our affection set on things above, how we ought to talk of those things, rather than things on earth.

O’ what manner of persons we ought to be in all seriousness and earnestness, rather than vain, light, frivolous, and worldly minded persons.

Brethren, the time is short.

Very soon it will be as though we had no wives, husbands, children or things, and the only thing that will matter is whether we have the Son.

For “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life”… “shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Teach Us To Number Our Days” (37:30 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 22 March, 2021

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And The Word Was God

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” | John 1: 14

My friends, if you will carefully consider it, this is the most extraordinary fact ever declared in human language.

God became a man and “took upon him the likeness of sinful flesh.”

The Ancient of Days became an infant of days.

The Son of the Most-High God became a man of sorrows.

He made the world; but as a man, “he had no place to lay his head.”

He who made the rivers asked a woman to give him a drink of water.

He who cast out devils was tempted of the devil, and the author of life died and lay in a tomb.

“The sun that hid from Him its face
By His own hand was hung in space;
The sky which darkened o’er His head
By Him above the world was spread;
The spear that shed His precious blood
Was tempered in the fires of God;
The grave in which His form was laid
Was hewn in rocks His hand had made.”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Four Things Essential to Salvation” (49:36 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 13 February, 2021

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 27 September, 2020 | Previous post date: n/a

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The Saints Of God

“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” | Romans 1: 7

Who are these saints to whom Paul is writing?

Every believer who is saved by the grace of God is a saint.

“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10: 14)

We are totally sanctified in the Lord Jesus Christ, by His effectual blood sacrifice for us.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” (1 Peter 1: 18-20)

The Lord Jesus Christ is made to the believer sanctification; He is our total sanctification before God the Father.

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1: 30)

There is no such thing as progressive sanctification. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3: 18)

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” (Romans 7: 18-20)

We grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ but our wicked flesh is never sanctified in our salvation. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5: 17)

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1: 4)

Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit making us new creatures in Christ, giving unto us a new holy nature in the new birth. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3: 6)

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4: 24)

That which is of the flesh is just that flesh but that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Peter 5: 10)

Thank God salvation is all of grace!

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “What Is Repentance?” (37:45 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 8 February, 2021

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A Message To Remember

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” | 1 John 5: 1

All who are born of God believe that Jesus is the Christ.

The title THE CHRIST signifies anointed and includes all the offices of the Son of God.

To believe Him to be THE CHRIST is to believe Him to be that Prophet which Moses said should come, who has declared the whole mind and will of the Father.

It is to believe He is that Priest which should arise after the order of Melchizedek and make full atonement for sin and effectual intercession for transgressors.

It is to believe He is King of kings and Lord of lords, whom God hath set over all things from all ages and for all time.

“And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.” (Luke 4: 41)

This faith in Christ is not a mere assent to the fact nor merely acknowledging it as the demons have done.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10: 9-10)

It is to believe with the heart.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2: 5)

It is to bow the knee in repentance and to look to Christ, trust in Him, receive Him as our righteousness, to rest in His blood for cleansing, and to lay hold of Him as our Savior, Redeemer, and Mediator.

Such faith is far above and beyond the reach of the human mind.

It is the gift of God.

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” (John 6: 44-45)

It is the result of regeneration and a new birth, for we must be drawn to Christ and taught of God.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “A Message to Remember” (44:17 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 16 February, 2022

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The Lord Jesus Christ Set His Love On Sinners

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” | 1 Timothy 1: 15

Do you know who will love to hear that Christ came to save sinners?

Sinners will!

Do you know who will love to hear that Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners?

Sinners will!

Do you know who will love to hear that Christ died on purpose, for a particular people, whom the word of God calls ungodly sinners?

Ungodly (in the flesh) sinners will love to hear that!

The blood of Christ was not shed for the self righteous world, but it was shed for sinners.

Christ did not set His love on the self righteous world, but He set His love on sinners.

Christ will not receive the self righteous world, but He said He would receive sinners!

So, let me ask you this question: Are you a sinner?

If you are, like I am, this is the greatest news we will ever hear in our lives… “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “That’s Who The Savior Is” (27:31 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, our livestream (when available) and previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 20 January, 2021
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Perfect To Be Accepted

“And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.” | Leviticus 22: 21

The voice from the cross did not summon men to do, but to be satisfied with what was done, “It is finished.”

The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only perfect thing which has ever been presented to God on man’s behalf.

“It shall be perfect to be accepted, there shall be no blemish therein.”

~ Pastor Scott Richardson

Click here to listen to the message “My Salvation Shall Be Forever” (38:18 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 18 January, 2023